A widely used insect nerve agent has been labelled a "high acute risk" to honeybees by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A similar assessment by the EFSA on three other insecticides preceded the suspension of their use in the European Union.

"The insecticide fipronil poses a high acute risk to honeybees when used as a seed treatment for maize," the EFSA said in a statement. "EFSA was asked to perform a risk assessment of fipronil [by the European commission], paying particular regard to the acute and chronic effects on colony survival and development and the effects of sub-lethal doses on bee mortality and behaviour."

Fipronil, manufactured by the German chemical company BASF, is used in more than 70 countries and on more than 100 different crops, as well as for cockroach and termite control. The EFSA report found the risk to honeybees from drifting pesticide dust was high when fipronil was used as a seed treatment for maize, but did not have the data to assess the risk from its use on sunflowers, or the risk via pollen and nectar, or the risk to other bees and pollinators.

Read the full article at The Guardian.

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  • Fipronil was used in the hardy nursery stock industry as a compost incorporation & was found to be effective against vine weevil. It lost it's licence probably due to lack of data provided for economic reasons despite it's short persistence. It is used to control flees on dogs. Perhaps it could be 'glued' to the seed if such a process exists? It would appear that there will be no armoury against any pests shortly with 50% of fungicides/insecticides gone in 2 years & a decision will have to be made of yield versus 'safety'

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